Chapter Fourteen
"Now" Lyons said "What do we do?"
"X.R.I.A.C. is now more clever and dangerous than before" The Doctor replied "I doubt just pulling the plug will be strong enough to defeat it."
Just then Miss Barrett looked up from her computer screen "Commander, Colonel Dettelbach is on the satellite link."
There was a brief buzzing sound and the American's face could be seen "Good Morning John" Dettlebach said "I have the FBI file… Whose this?" He asked looking at the Doctor?
"This is The Doctor, he's the one I told you about. He has same level security clearance as I have. So you can tell us both what you know of the Tenworth site?"
"In 1980" Dettelbach "A computer magazine did an article on a supercomputer that was the revolutionary gadget. We thought that this machine would be dangerous if the wrong power got hold of it."
"That is why you spend eighteen months searching the Tenworth Plant?"
Dettlebach nodded "But we didn't find anything"
"Because Ormerod had sealed X.R. . in his concrete prison." The Doctor pondered "Thank you Colonel we'll be in touch"
"You know what I had to do to get this?" Dettlebach said surprised
"a lot I suppose and we are grateful" The Doctor replied "But there is nothing more to know."
Dettlebach swore and the connection was cut, "Thanks Doctor" Lyons said angrily "Relations between G.I.N. and A.A.I.A. are difficult without your help."
"So That is the final part of the mystery." The Doctor continued he turned to Miss Barrett "Jemima, can you get me a felt tip pen and a white board please?"
Miss Barrett nodded and handed them to him "Now" The Doctor began "TCC buys the Tenworth site, then in 1974 they are asked to build a battle computer, they refuse and create a production machine instead. With Ormerod leading the project." whilst he spoke he scribbled dates on the board.
"Why a production machine?" Lyons asked
"Basic function they thought it would be easy to control." The Doctor suggested "Now X.R.I.A.C. tries to ruin TCC. But Ormerod dismantles X.R.I.A.C.'s brain which is a supercomputer and seals it in a secret chamber beneath the factory, and TCC goes bust in 1981."
"Right." Miss Barrett added "And the FBI investigate from mid 1982-1984."
"Correct Jemima." The Doctor added "Then in 1993 three boys who are camping see strange lights from the old factory."
"What's the got to do with it?" Lyons asked
"What if one of those boys was Harvey McKenzie and what if he not only saw the lights but actually entered the plant itself. Once inside X.R.I.A.C. used him to rebuild his brain and keep him confined in the secret room."
"Now you are jumping to theories Doctor," interrupted Commander Lyons "firstly: how could X.R.I.A.C. be able to communicate with McKenzie when he had been disconnected"
"Even old factories can still have electricity, I suppose X.R.I.A.C.'s programme was still active in the network and he told McKenzie how to re-build him. When Skylight Electronics took over the plant, I bet X.R.I.A.C. helped the business take off and dispense all those products. Perhaps that could assist X.R.I.A.C. in the invasion."
Back at the factory the android had entered the underground chamber "We have erected a monitor on the factory floor for you" it said
"Thanks" rasped X.R.I.A.C. "Now logging on." And the screen went black. On the factory floor the new screen flashed into life and the demonic skull of X.R.I.A.C. appeared on the read background "How's my army assembling?"
"Android masses is now 5000!" said another android
"Excellent!" hissed X.R.I.A.C. "Now I'm strong enough to latch onto the country's national computer systems. Logging on"
"This is what we are going to do" Lyons said "We use small nuclear missiles and bomb the Tenworth site?"
"Commander that won't work?" The Doctor said "You are fighting something made of metal and wires, not flesh and blood. I suggest we move the entire G.I.N. HQ on board the Skybase" They were back in Lyons office. Becky Gibbs had been allowed to go home, though Lyons had ordered that an armed guard accompany her. The Doctor, Miss Barrett and The Skymaster were sitting around the desk. Just then the telephone on Lyons' desk began ringing
"Excuse me" Lyons apologised then picked up the receiver "Lyons here… what… thank you Minister… Yes, Don't worry… We have everything under control… Just tell the Prime Minister that it's all safe." And he hung up "Problem Doctor" he said "Apparently all the computers at Whitehall have crashed"
"That'll be X.R.I.A.C.. it has the ability to connect and control other computers. That's how it was able to clear the accounts of TCC. Hang on what about the computers here who supplied them?"
"'Skylight Electronics'" Lyons said "Oh my god" he said with a tone of alarm in his voice
"Quick everyone down to the science bay and get to the Tardis." The Doctor said loudly and hurried to the door. Commander Lyons, Miss Barrett and the Skymaster headed out and The Doctor Followed